eNewsletter | March 9, 2021 |
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Dear Beloved in Christ,
The past year of living alongside the pandemic has been strange (hasn’t it?) with so many changes to help preserve human life, from quarantine to adorning face masks and 6’ social distancing, etc. Now, it appears that things are brighter at the horizon. With more and more receiving the vaccinations and numbers of infected decreasing, we may wonder what the future holds and how things will look in the coming days ahead.
Upon reflection in the past year, I’m amazed at the spirit of SJV parish and how so many of you have done your part to help us continue church work together, through prayer and service and your kindness and offerings. It’s humbling and amazing for me to see the Holy Spirit at work in this faith community. On behalf of SJV Staff, we thank you and appreciate you!
This Lenten season is an opportunity to refocus on the gift of faith, and surely, our faith has been tested in the last year. Penitential practices of prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and offering up something for the 40 days of Lent can help us to restore the master/servant relationship, so that like the creation story, we can have dominion over the earth, rather than being enslaved by it (moreover, to keep in mind that we have a Master, the Lord). I recently heard an inspirational quote to the effect that the true measure of a person is not the power that they have and wield but the way they exercise self-restraint. Isn’t that a theme of Lent: when we offer something up, we are exercising self-restraint. And when we are tempted to indulge ourselves in the pleasure of the senses, tempted to give into despair and disappointment, and tempted to inflict harm through word or action (even tempted to be indifferent without care), it takes lots of strength, courage, and grace to practice self-restraint from these things.
But as we look forward to the brighter days ahead, let’s ask God for pardon and forgiveness for this past year. As we immerse ourselves into the ocean of God’s mercy, let us also readily share the gift of mercy to one another, with patience and understanding, and never cease to pray for one another. Let us never find an excuse not to encourage one another when the opportunity arises. Among friends, words of forgiveness are not necessary, because it is a given and expected. And how wonderful that merciful act, such a priceless and heavenly treasure to behold, and all for the glory of the Almighty, and Holy is the Lord’s name.
Let me end with the sacred words of Christ, who on the cross, prayed for forgiveness for all of humanity: Father forgive them for they know not what they do. May that same prayer be on our lips and in our hearts and echo and echo throughout the bright and hopeful days ahead.
Peace of Christ be with you always.
Together for Christ,
Fr. Vu Tran
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CATHOLIC ADVOCACY DAY
Tuesday, March 23
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Join with hundreds of Catholics for Catholic Advocacy Day, Tuesday, March 23, as we put our faith in action to advocate for economic and racial equity, and for a society in which all people and Earth can thrive. |
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You’ve heard it before and you will hear it again. It comes every lent, the reading about Christ in the desert. The Devil tempts Christ to move off the path and disobey God. We all know temptation, but it can be hard to see what tangible good can come out of saying no. Let’s listen to Bishop Barron as he shares the fruit of rejecting the devil.
What is most tempting for you?
How do you handle or want to handle that temptation?
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REGISTER FOR HOLY WEEK MASSES |
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Capacity is limited, so if you are interested in attending any of the following masses, please register by emailing Joan, jsullivan@sjvkirkland.org.
Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion Masses
Saturday, March 27th at 5:00pm*
Sunday, March 28th at 9:00am and 11:00am
Holy Thursday - Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Thursday, April 1st at 7:00pm*
(No 8:45am Eucharistic Adoration & Mass)
Good Friday - Mass of the Presanctified
Friday, April 2nd at 7:00pm*
(No 8:45am Eucharistic Adoration & Mass)
Holy Saturday - Easter Vigil Mass
Saturday, April 3rd at 8:00pm*
(No 5:00pm Mass)
Easter Sunday - Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord
Sunday, April 4th at 9:00am* and 11:00am
Every person 14 years or older must abstain from meat on Good Friday, and all Fridays of Lent.
Every person between the age of 18 and 59 must fast on Good Friday. When fasting, a person is permitted to eat one full meal, as well as two smaller meals that together are not equal to a full meal.
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STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Fridays after 9:00am Mass
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Stations of the Cross will be outside on the front lawn near the flag poles this year. You can pray the Stations of the Cross with Fr. Vu on Fridays during Lent after the 9:00am Mass. You can also come pray on your own during daylight hours. Various worship aids read by our parishioners are available on our parish website, which you can access on your phone.
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CHAPLET OF THE DIVINE MERCY
Fridays at 3:00pm
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The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a popular devotion which was promoted by Saint Maria Faustina Kowolska, a polish nun. The words of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy were given to Saint Faustina in a vision which occurred in September of 1935. The primary focus of the Divine Mercy devotion is the merciful love of God and the desire to let that love and mercy flow through one's own heart towards those in need of it.
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During Lent, reconciliation is available every Sunday from 12:00-1:00pm, or by appointment. The Reconciliation Room is next to our Adoration Chapel. |
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DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS
Sunday, March 14 at 2:00am
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Remember to turn your clocks forward one hour. |
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CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES COLLECTION
March 13/14
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This weekend our Parish will take up the Catholic Relief Services Collection. Funds from this collection provide food to the hungry, support for displaced refugees, and bring Christ’s love and mercy to vulnerable people here and abroad. Please give generously to the collection and help Jesus in Disguise. Learn more about the collection at www.usccb.org/catholic-relief.
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KIDS FAITH FORMATION
Sundays from 10:15-10:45am
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Kids are invited to join Zoom Children's Liturgy of the Word. Monthly faith formation packets are also available. Email Laura Stanger, LStanger@sjvkirkland.org, for more information.
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YOUTH GROUP
Sundays from 5:00-6:45pm
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We will start with games and weave it with the Gospel. Email Maybeth, mterashima@sjvkirkland.org, for the Zoom information (which is the same for all virtual meetings).
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HIGH SCHOOL TREK SERVICE PROJECT |
Thank you trekkers & trek families for your wonderful effort, helping Farmer Frog serve others. |
Looking to add purpose and fulfillment to your life? Come and experience the joy of building community and homes with EsperanzaInt.Org in Tijuana Mexico, Oct 31 - Nov 6, 2021. All are welcome. Contact Kenny and Mary Goodwin at 425.466.4460 or goodwin.hp@gmail.com
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WOMEN'S BOOK GROUP
Tuesday, April 6 at 7:00pm
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The first Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm, our Women’s Book Group gathers in the Narthex with wine and chocolate to discuss a book that has been chosen by the group. You do not need to read the book to come to the book group.
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WEEKEND MASSES
Saturdays at 5:00pm
Sundays at 9:00am & 11:00am
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IF YOU HAVE NOT ATTENDED A MASS YET AND WOULD LIKE TO:
Please contact Joan Sullivan, jsullivan@sjvkirkland.org, or call the parish office by noon on Thursday. Please include the names of all those who will be attending with you.
IF YOU HAVE ALREADY ATTENDED A MASS:
You do not need to register each week. We will keep your household in our Mass assignment rotation. Safe capacity is limited so you may not be able to attend Mass every week. Keep a look out for confirmation emails sent late on Thursdays to see the next date and time you are assigned to a Mass. If you have not heard by Friday please email Joan.
We cannot take requests for dates or times.
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PRIVATE PRAYER IN THE CHAPEL
Monday-Friday from 8:30am-Noon
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION & MASS
Wednesday-Friday at 8:45am
No registration necessary. Please do the Self Health Assessment before coming, and sign in at the table in the narthex when you arrive.
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LIVE STREAM MASSES
Saturday Vigil at 5:00pm
Wednesday-Friday at 9:00am
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If there is someone in your household who would also like to receive our eNewsletter please sign them up. |
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